Tree Computer Kiosk System and Method

ABSTRACT

A tree computer kiosk is provided that includes a tree-shaped housing having a trunk and at least one limb and limb stub, where the limb stub is configured to accommodate a display screen. The tree-shaped housing accommodates a computer system including a processor and at least one electronic component. A power supply provides power to the computer processor and other electronic components. The tree-shaped housing includes mounting and mechanisms for securing one or more speakers, cameras, and display screens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/403,736 that was filed on May 6, 2019 (U.S. Pat.No. 10,871,804), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/680,763 that was filed on Aug. 18, 2017 (U.S. Pat. No.10,281,959), which is a bypass continuation-in-part national stageapplication under 35 U.S.C. 371 of international application No.PCT/US2016/018553 having an international filing date of Feb. 18, 2016and designating the United States, the international applicationclaiming a priority date of Feb. 18, 2015 based upon prior-filed U.S.provisional patent application No. 62/117,866, the entire contents ofthe aforesaid applications being incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a computer kiosk system and, moreparticularly, to a tree-shaped housing and mounting arrangements for acomputer system including a processor, components and peripherals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A conventional electronic kiosk is a utilitarian, box-like structurehousing a computing device having a display and a means of acceptinguser input. Generally, electronic kiosks have a user interface (whichmay include manual buttons and/or a touchscreen) and an output system(which may include a visual display or auditory output). Often,electronic kiosks utilize custom kiosk software that prevents users fromaccessing system functions while providing various self-servicefunctions to the user, such as providing information, marketingproducts, allowing Internet access, dispensing products, allowingself-check in, performing transactions, or the like. These kiosks havebecome quite popular as an efficient and economical alternative totraditional human-to-human customer services. Summit Research Associatesreported that there were 1.2 million kiosks in service in North Americain 2009.

Although existing kiosks are typically placed in public locations, theyare often physically large, bulky, unattractive machine systems that donot enhance, or even blend into, their environment. Quite often, theirboring, utilitarian structure detracts from the desired appearance oftheir surroundings.

Accordingly, there is a need for an interesting, aesthetically pleasingcomputer kiosk that adds to the look of its environment, while alsoenabling, or improving upon, the functionality of a standard electronickiosk.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a tree computer kiosk system andmethod that includes a tree-shaped housing that accommodates a computersystem including a processor and any of a variety of electroniccomponents and peripherals. The tree-shaped housing includes mountingmechanisms for securing display screens, speakers and cameras.

The tree computer kiosk supports the various components in a manner thatpermits efficient utilization of the kiosk by users, while integratingthe various components with the various tree elements in interesting yetfunctional ways.

An object of the present invention is to provide a tree-shaped computerkiosk.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide suitablemountings for the electronic components within the tree-shaped housing.

A further object is to provide a tree computer kiosk that integrates themountings for the computer system components with the various elementsof the tree.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawingsand from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments whichfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be describedin conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate andnot to limit the invention, where like designations denote likeelements.

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the tree computer kiosksystem of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial right side view of an embodiment of the treecomputer kiosk system of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial right side view of an embodiment of the treecomputer kiosk system of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial right front side perspective view of an embodimentof the tree computer kiosk system of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an upward-looking partial front view of a tree stub portion ofthe tree-shaped housing aspect of the present invention with the doorremoved to show the interior tablet support.

FIG. 6 is the view of FIG. 5 with the door in place.

FIG. 7 is an upward-looking partial front view of a tree stub portion ofthe tree-shaped housing of one aspect of the present invention showingthe interior tablet support and cushion configured to receive a tabletcomputer.

FIG. 8 is a downward-looking view of a portion of the tree-shapedhousing of one aspect of the present invention with a tablet computerinserted into the stub portion.

FIG. 9 is a front view of an upper portion of the tree-shaped housing ofone aspect of the present invention showing a camera and speakerlocations.

FIG. 10 is a top view of a limb of the tree-shaped housing of one aspectof the present invention showing a speaker location.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a limb of the tree-shaped housing of one aspectof the present invention showing the speaker location of FIG. 10, butwith the speaker access door removed.

FIG. 12 is a top view of a limb of the tree-shaped housing of one aspectof the present invention showing the speaker location of FIG. 10, butwith the speaker access door removed and the speaker installed.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a speaker holder of one aspect of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a speaker installed in the speakerholder of one aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating various components of an exemplarycomputer system (including processor, peripherals and components) of oneaspect of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is front perspective view of a multiple screen aspect of thetree computer kiosk system without the exterior, decorative skin.

FIG. 17 is front perspective view of the tablet holder portion of anaspect of the tree computer kiosk system without the exterior,decorative skin.

FIG. 18 is back perspective view of the tablet holder portion of anaspect of the tree computer kiosk system without the exterior,decorative skin.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several viewsof the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Shown throughout the figures, the present invention is directed toward atree-shaped computer kiosk system and method, which integrates acomputer system, including a processor and any of a variety ofelectronic components and peripherals, which may be referred togenerally as “electronic components.” Various natural tree elements,such as bark, knotholes, limbs, leaves, stumps, limb stubs and branchesare used to camouflage, conceal, obscure, and/or surround electroniccomponents of the computer system or are used to favorably position theelectronic components. Particularly, one or more display screens may beadvantageously supported, such as by a tree stub, at a suitable angleand height to allow access to the anticipated users of the tree kiosk.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a tree computer kiosk system, shown generallyas reference number 100, is illustrated in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. As shown, the tree computer kiosk system 100comprises an external tree-shaped housing 101 including a trunk 140, alimb stub 160 supporting a display screen (preferably a touchscreen, andpreferably integrated as a tablet) 151, limbs 130, branches 120, andartificial leaves 127. The limb stub 160 has an access door 165 to allowaccess to, removal of, and installation of the tablet 150. The accessdoor 165 extends vertically and horizontally between access doorvertical and horizontal edges 168. The artificial leaves 127 areartificial leaves that are In FIG. 1, the branches and artificial leaves127 of the upper area of the tree-shaped housing 101 obscure sometree-mimicking housing elements that can be seen in the close-up view ofthe same upper area at a slightly different angle in FIG. 9; these arethe speaker output holes 131 for speaker 112 (FIG. 14) and the edges 122of an artificial knothole 124 that provides an exterior viewing openingfor a camera lens 185.

FIGS. 2-3 show right side views (from two slightly different angles) ofthe limb stub 160 with the stub access door 165 removed and with thetrunk access door 191 removed. The stub door frame 169 defines the outeredges of the stub access hole. When the stub access door 165 is closed,as in FIG. 6, the outer edges of the stub access hole are positionedadjacent to the access door vertical and horizontal edges 168. Disposedat or near this stub door frame 169 is a door frame attachmentmechanism. The door frame attachment mechanism at the door frame bottom169 (FIG. 6) attaches to the corresponding access door attachmentmechanism disposed at the bottom of stub door frame 169, therebyproviding a means to connect the access door 165 to the door frame 169.Any standard mechanism may be used, either a mechanism that allows fullremoval of the access door (as illustrated) or a hinged mechanism thatmerely lets the access door swing downward and out of the way.

Also seen in FIGS. 2-3 are the electrical power plug and cord, which area part of the power wiring 198 that is connected to a power supply andis operative to provide power to the powered electronic componentshoused within the tree-shaped housing 10. The plug may be plugged into awall outlet with the cord of power wiring 198 entering the interior ofthe trunk through an opening 199 in the trunk 140 or may have a plugthat plugs into a socket in opening 199. The power plug and cord allowpower to be supplied via power wiring 198 (which may be routed throughinternal conduits 174 (FIG. 16) to the area of use) to the componentsand peripherals that require AC power. Even some components that mayutilize batteries may need the provided AC power for recharging.Optionally, a larger battery may serve as a power source for multipleones of the enclosed processor, peripherals and electronic components.The larger battery may be removable for charging or may be charged bymeans of external AC power, such as via the plug and cord shown.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the limb stub 160 supporting tablet 150 withthe stub access door 165 partially open. The stub access door 165 isfinished at least externally with a stub skin 161 (FIG. 3), whichcorrelates with (substantially matching) the external decorative treeskin 179 (FIG. 5), which together form the overall external decorativeskin. Optionally, the interior of the stub access door 165 may also havean exterior surface door skin 161. Similarly, the trunk access door 191(FIG. 3) has at least an external skin that matches or coordinates withthe decorative skin 179. The stub access door 165, trunk access door191, and speaker access door 125 (described below) imitate natural barkfeatures, so when closed are substantially unnoticeable. As also seen inthe figures, The stub access door 165, trunk access door 191, andspeaker access door 125 (FIG. 10) may comprise alignment pegs 162 (FIGS.2, 3) to assist in alignment.

The stub access door 165 is preferably configured with a stub door lock166, the locking of which restricts access to the valuable electroniccomponents secured within the tree-shaped housing 10. Similarly, asecond locking mechanism is preferably included to secure the trunkaccess door 191 (FIGS. 2-3). And, optionally, a third locking mechanismmay secure the speaker access door 125.

The design of the limb stub 160 takes advantage of a shape seen innature to elegantly incorporate the tablet 150 with touch-type displayscreen 151 into a convenient operating position for the user. This is incontrast to a conventional boxy, vertical kiosk, which often provides anawkward platform extending outwardly beyond the base for userconvenience—which is merely a functional necessity and does not add tothe attractiveness of the kiosk.

The limb stub 160 has an upper surface that is at a suitable elevationand angle for supporting the tablet 150 at an appropriate height andslant to accommodate convenient, easy access to the touch-type displayscreen 151 by the user. The distance from the floor to the top of theupper surface may be larger if the user is anticipated to be standing touse the tree computer kiosk system 100 or may be shorter if the user isanticipated to be sitting (such as to provide wheelchair access) or ifthe user is anticipated to be a child.

The trunk 140 may be secured to a base (not shown) or to a structure(not shown) within the flooring of the location of use of the treecomputer kiosk system 100. The trunk 140 may optionally be weighted toprovide extra stability.

FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate an exemplary means to support the tablet 150. Inthis first tablet support aspect, FIGS. 5 and 7 are views lookingupwardly into the stub access door 165 allowing viewing of the hingedtablet support 155 and the optional resilient cushion 158. The hingedtablet support 155 holds the installed tablet 150 (FIGS. 1, 4) in aviewable position substantially flush within the display screen/tablethole frame 152, which defines the edges of an open hole through whichthe tablet is viewed. The cushion 158 provides a resilient base uponwhich the tablet may be directly positioned; the resiliency may allowthe tablet 150 to sink slightly into the cushion 158, thereby securingthe tablet 150 in the desired position without damage. As can be seen inFIG. 7, the hinged tablet support 155 may be slightly larger than thecushion 158, and it may engage within an indentation within the interiorof the limb stub 160. A tablet support latch 156 is disposed on one sideof the hinged tablet support 155; the manual engagement of the latch 156on the inside of the stub 160 retains the hinged tablet support 155 inposition and prevents the tablet support 155 from giving way whenpressure is applied to the top of the touchscreen 151 of the tablet 150,which is braced in place by the hinged tablet support 155.

FIG. 5 also allows viewing of exemplary structural components of thetree-shaped housing 101, which illustrate one method of fabricating thetree-shaped housing 101 of the computer kiosk system 100. The materialsand production processes of the components of the tree-shaped housing101 may vary based on considerations of size, environment of use,aesthetic desires, and functional requirements. However, in an exemplaryproduction process, a housing internal support structure 175 is formedinto the general shape of the trunk 140, limbs 130, limb stub 160 andvarious branches of the tree-shaped housing 101. Best seen in FIGS.16-18, the housing internal support structure 175 may be, for example, aheavy wire mesh mounted on metal rods or a wire frame. Portions of thehousing internal support structure 175 may be braced by metal pipeand/or metal reinforcements.

A decorative skin 179 is then applied to the housing internal supportstructure 175. The design of the decorative skin 179 may vary, with thechosen design based on aesthetic desires or functional requirements.Generally, the decorative skin 179 may be designed to imitate a type ofnatural bark. However, other textures, grains, veneers, and othernatural or artificial designs may also be used; for instance, designsincorporating the style of simulated alligator skin, brick, hair,pebbles, paisleys, plush fabrics, sheets or strands of lights, and thelike could optionally be utilized for a desired special effect.

The inside 177 of the decorative skin 179 can be seen through the meshof the internal support structure 175 in FIG. 5. Though portions of theinside 177 may be decorative in areas that are frequently accessed,there is no requirement for this, so the inside 177 may remainunembellished and generally merely functional.

One exemplary method to form all or a portion of the decorative skin 179is to use a urethane material, which may be adhered with a methacrylateadhesive onto the housing internal support structure 175, or may beadhered to an intermediary layer of urethane soft foam that is appliedto wire mesh that is supported by metal pipes, where the wire mesh andmetal pipes form part of the housing internal support structure 175.Until the methacrylate adhesive cures, a plastic film may be used towrap the glued portions to allow proper curing.

FIG. 9 illustrates camouflaged openings or orifices defined by edges124, 131 extending at least through the external decorative skin 179(FIG. 5), that are utilized to give the interior components access tothe area (of the room or outdoors) beyond the external decorative skin179. These camouflaged orifices 124, 131 are generally associated withcomponent-supportive structural elements that support the internalcomponents in the proper position to take advantage of the camouflagedorifices 124, 131. The component-supportive structural elements mayinclude, for example, one or more speaker holders 115 (FIG. 12), camerasupports, and the like.

The natural features of the tree-shaped housing 101 can be used todisguise these external camouflaged orifices 124, 131. For instance, anartificial knothole 124 can be created within the upper portion of thetrunk 140, with edges 122 defining an opening behind which the camerasystem 180 (FIG. 15) is supported via a camera-supportive structuralelement and through which the lens 185 has an unobstructed view of aportion of the area in front of the tree-shaped housing 10. Thecamera-supportive structural element may allow tilting of the camera, orthe lens 185 itself may be angularly adjustable. After construction ofthe tree computer kiosk system 100, the camera system 180 or the lens185 alone may be adjusted so the desired object in front of thetree-shaped housing 101 is within the view of the lens 185.

FIG. 9 also illustrates the utilization of a portion of the bark-likeexterior surface of the tree-shaped housing 101 to obscure the holes 131through which the audio sound from speaker 112 (FIG. 12) is projected.For example, the holes 131 may be configured and designed to imitate anatural bark attribute, such as a bark abrasion, bark knot hole, or barkscar tissue. Though upon close examination the holes 131 may beidentified, the casual observer will not see them.

FIGS. 10-14 show various aspects of the speaker system 110 (FIG. 12).The speakers 112 are placed within and supported by acomponent-supportive structural element, which in this case is a speakerholder 115. The speaker holder 115 is secured within one of the limbs130, with appropriate power and/or data wiring run to the speakers 12.FIG. 12 shows the speaker holder 115 positioned within the limb 130ready to be attached. The speaker holder 115 may include various lateraland longitudinal members 116, 117, 118 (FIGS. 13-14) as are necessaryfor supporting the speaker 112. The limb 130 is configured with aspeaker access hole defined by speaker access hole edges 121 (FIG. 10)with a corresponding speaker access door 125. The speaker access door125 provides a closing means for the speaker access hole that is sizedto fit with the door edges 129 adjacent to the hole edges 121. Again,the irregularity of the external skin of the tree-shaped housing 101 atthe hole edges 121, which abuts the external skin of the tree-shapedhousing covering the speaker access door 125, allows the margins of bothto be obscured. The speaker access door 125 may be hingedly attached tothe edges 121 of the speaker access hole or may be removable andre-attachable. Whether hingedly attached or removably attached, thespeaker access door 125 is preferably secured by one or multiple speakeraccess door securing mechanisms 128 (shown as two screws or bolts inFIG. 10). The speaker access door securing mechanisms 128 may optionallybe lockable, but if the speaker access door(s) is positioned high in theupper part of the tree-shaped housing 101, there may be little need toprovide a mechanism for locking.

The view in FIGS. 11-12 is looking from the back of limb 130 into theinterior of limb 130 with the speaker access door 125 removed. Interiorsecuring brackets 126, 133 are fixedly attached (either permanently orremovably) within the interior of limb 130. These securing brackets 126,133 provide a means by which the speaker holder 15 can be secured withinthe limb 130. The securing brackets 126, 133 have securing mechanismsconfigured to receive complementary securing mechanisms on the speakerholder 115. For example, the holes 119 (FIG. 13) may be aligned withcorresponding holes within the interior securing brackets 126, and thetwo pieces may be joined by bolts or screws. The holes in door securingbracket 123 match corresponding holes in speaker access door 125,enabling speaker access door 125 to be secured to the structure via thedoor securing mechanisms 128. For additional stability, a portion of thesecuring mechanisms on the speaker access door 125 may be configuredwith prongs to be inserted into the securing brackets 133.

The camera system 180 (FIG. 15) may be mounted within the tree kiosk ina similar manner. For example, a component-supportive structural elementmay be a camera holder installed within the interior of the tree kioskvia a hinged or removable camera access door. Then, the correlatingcamera system can be installed within or supported by the camera holderwith appropriate wiring to connect the camera to the processor 170 andto provide power. Optionally, the camera may be configured to use anInternet or cellular connection to transmit images and/or video to aremote location without using the processor 170 as an intermediary.

The diagram of FIG. 15 illustrates just one of the many computer systemsthat can be integrated into the tree-shaped housing 101. The exemplarycomputer system includes at least one processor 170 and any of a varietyof peripherals and electronic components. The peripherals may includeany of a number of input devices and output devices. Exemplary inputdevices include a touch-type display screen 151, a touchpad, scanner, aUPC reader, RFID or NFC reader, memory card reader, flash drive reader,keyboard, a mouse, and camera 180. Exemplary output devices include thedisplay screen 151, audio speakers 2, earphones, earbuds, phone,handset, RFID or NFC writer, memory card writer, flash drive writer,scent dispenser, lighted elements, and a printer. Single or multipleones of the computer system elements can be provided. For instance,multiple display screens, as illustrated in FIGS. 16-18, can besuspended from the various limb stubs of the tree-shaped housing orrear, side, and front camera lens may be mounted within the camerahousing.

Though the computer system is shown in the diagram of FIG. 15 as modularelements, one or more of the elements may be purchased as individualparts and assembled into a computer system within the housing. Forexample, the processor 170 is shown integrated into a tablet computer inFIG. 15, but the processor 170 may be in the form of a motherboard whichis directly integrated into the tree-shaped housing 101 with one or moreseparate touchscreens that are in signal communication with themotherboard. In a second example, though the display screen is shown asa modular tablet 150, other types of display screens, such as monitors,that are in communication with a separate processor 170 are usable inthe tree kiosk 100.

Various electronic components may also be included in the particularcomputer system to be embedded within the tree-shaped housing 100. Forexample, a router 171, a POE switch 173, an access control system 172(such as the NLSS Gateway 500 sold by Next Level Security Systems ofCarlsbad, Calif.), a port switch, a modem, a powered or unpowered USBhub, a surge protector, and one or more still or video cameras 180. Oneor more of the various peripherals or electronic components may beembodied in a fanciful shape that can be associated with the tree-shapedhousing lol. For example, two camera lenses could be in the eyes of anowl perched in the tree, or speakers could be positioned in a birdsitting on a limb.

The router 171 may provide wireless or wired connectivity for the otherelectronic components and processor. Some components may have static IPaddresses, while others have DHCP assigned dynamic IP addresses.Optionally, router 171 may provide a connection to the Internet for oneor more of the electronic components. This Internet connection may beutilized by remote users of the kiosk (such as to view the video feedfrom the camera 180 for intrusion detection or to change the output forthe speakers 12) or may be utilized by local users of the kiosk (such asto view online webpages on the display screen 151). In addition to (orin substitution for) this Internet-enabled control of the variouscomputer-connected electronic components, one or more of the electroniccomponents may be controlled wirelessly. For example, a wirelessconnection to the camera system 180 could enable remote operation of thelens 185 (FIG. 9), or a Bluetooth controller could allow control ofspeaker volume.

The processor may execute any of a variety of software programs and/orapplications, which are referred to generally as “applications.”Preferably the applications will have suitable tamper-resistant,visually-pleasing, accessible user interfaces that promote interactivityand ease of use of the system. If Internet access is to be provided, theapplications may include at least one appropriate browser. A menu may beprovided on the touch-type display screen 151 to allow the local user toselect from the available applications. Input screens and virtualbuttons may be presented on the screen by the processor 170, or thetouch-type display screen 151 may be integrated with nearby physicalbuttons allowing additional user input. The local user may be providedfull, partial, or no control of (or access to) the processor,peripherals and electronic components, but is usually provided with onlylimited control. For example, if a printer is to be provided for use bythe local user, some control of the printer functions will be allowed.However, allowing a local user too much access or control would bedetrimental, because the user could crash the system or introduceviruses to the system.

FIG. 16 illustrates a multiple screen aspect of the invention,illustrates that the branch stubs may be angled in any direction thatallows a human to interact with the screen, and illustrates anothertablet holder aspect. The housing internal support structure 175 isshown without the exterior, decorative skin 179 to facilitate discussionof the internal parts. The structure of the stub 160 is created by theshaping of the housing internal support structure 175, which ends in aninternal peripheral frame 189 (FIG. 18), which may be a circumferentialor partial circumferential frame. The tablet frame front piece 181 issupported by and attached to this peripheral frame 189, such as byattachment support 88. In the completed kiosk, the internal peripheralframe 189 and the tablet frame front piece 181 will be covered withdecorative skin 179.

The stub 160 or stubs 160 may be angled in a number of directions andstill be suitable for presenting a tablet in a position and at an anglein which it can serve its designated purpose. This is exemplified inFIG. 16 where one stub 160 is angled upward from the tree base whileother stubs 160 are angled downward from a higher location in the tree.In nature, limbs of trees are angled in various directions due toenvironmental influences or damage. This characteristic variation inlimb arrangement and organization is utilized in the design of themulti-screen aspect of the invention to achieve a natural look, whileproviding a usable height and angle for the desired implementation.

The tablet frame front piece 181 is disposed at the blunt end of theinternal support structure 175 of the limb stub. The angle of thistablet frame front piece 181 is the angle of the tablet, when installed.The distance from the floor and the orientation angle of the tabletframe front piece 181 may be selected based on the intended use of thescreen 151. For example, the distance from the floor and angle of thetablet frame front piece 181 when the screen 151 will merely be used fordisplaying a video will likely vary compared to when the planned useincludes allowing a user to interact with the screen 151.

FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a second aspect of the tablet support, which is asliding tablet support 154. The sliding tablet support 154 includes atablet frame front piece 181, a display screen/tablet hole frame 152,tablet support backing 157 with multiple perimeter stop/restraints 159,a tablet support lock 186, an internal support dissociable portion 176,an extension slide 153, and slide support framing 182 that may includeedge-to-edge slide support framing 183 and slide-to-slide supportframing 184.

As in the first tablet support aspect that provided a hinged tabletsupport 155, the sliding tablet support 154 of the second tablet supportaspect holds an installed tablet 150 in a viewable position flush withinthe display screen/tablet hole frame 152. In contrast to the hingedtablet support 155 that rotates around a hinge-defined axis, the slidingtablet support 154 is instead moved by means of an extension slide orglide 153. The extension slide 153, in combination slide support framing182, 183, 184 allows the sliding tablet support 154 to be moved up ordown to allow access to a forward-facing tablet seating area centered onthe tablet support backing 157. The extension slide 153 allows thetablet support backing 157 to be manually slid and repositioned from theclosed position shown in FIG. 16 to the open, expanded position shown inthe front view of FIG. 17 and in the back view of FIG. 18 and back againto the closed position of FIG. 16.

The top of the extension slide 153 is attached to the back of the tabletsupport backing 157 and a portion of the internal support structure 175(internal support dissociable portion 176). The bottom of the extensionslide 153 is attached to the internal support structure 175 via theslide support framing 182, which may include edge-to-edge slide supportframing 183 and/or slide-to-slide support framing 184. Preferably theextension slide 153 comprises a pair of slides, as shown. The extensionslide 153 may be any conventional sliding mechanism, such as side-mountor under-mount drawer slides with either a ball-bearing or rollermechanism.

Multiple perimeter stop/restraints 159 are disposed on the outer edgesof the tablet support backing 157 to provide a stop or obstruction toprevent the tablet 150 from falling out of the correct position. Themultiple perimeter stop/restraints 159 may be perpendicular piecespermanently affixed to or formed integrally with the tablet supportbacking 157, may be L-shaped bars, or other similar stops as are knownin the art.

In the open position, the tablet seating location is accessible withinthe confines of the multiple perimeter stop/restraints 159 disposed onthe outer edges of the tablet support backing 157. The tablet 150 isplaced within this tablet seating position against the tablet supportbacking 157, and the entire sliding tablet support 154 is slid backbehind the tablet frame front piece 181 into the closed position, whichpositions the tablet within the display screen/tablet hole frame 152,and which also repositions the internal support dissociable portion 176juxtaposed adjacent to the internal support structure 175. When both theinternal support dissociable portion 176 and internal support structure175 are covered with decorative skin 179, this junction is obscured.

The tablet support lock 186 is preferably included to allow securing ofthe tablet when it is in the position of use. Any conventional lock,which may be keyed or non-keyed, may be used.

The tree trunk 140, a limb stub 160, and limbs 130 are fabricated,meaning that they are assembled from parts or sections and made orconstructed by art or skill and human or robotic labor. The materialsused include metal, various plastics, fabrics, other manmade materials,and also preserved natural materials (such as preserved naturalbranches, trunks or leaves). In general, the framing of the trunk may bedone with wire with a fabric and/or decorative skin 179 attached to thewire. For outdoor locations or larger trees, a heavier gauge wire andheavier outer fabric may be used than for indoor or smaller trees. Thematerials may be used with or without coatings or sealants. Coatings maybe used to add advantages such as ease of cleaning and fire retardation.For instance, the artificial leaves 127 may be made of polyester fabric,but have a polyurethane coating to repel dust, prevent penetration ofthe fabric by spills, and enhance cleaning. The fabricated parts mayduplicate, copy or replicate something from nature, or they may createan interesting presentation or display that is quite different than thatfound in nature (for instance, the decorative skin 179 may be formed ofmetallic fabric or of LED light strands or of LED lights embedded withina fabric base, or the like). In some cases, manmade branches and/or acombination of branches and leaves are used with a manmadefabric-covered wire trunk.

The size of the tree kiosk 100 is sufficient to support at least onetablet 150 which, in general, may be over 6 feet tall. For instance, theentire tree may have a height of 10 feet with an 8-foot diameter canopy,in which case the trunk may have a diameter of from 3 to 5 inches. Inanother instance, the tree might be an 18-foot tree with a 20-footdiameter canopy with a trunk from 15 to 21 inches in diameter.

The artificial leaves 127 (FIG. 1) are preferably formed of artificialor synthetic materials or of preserved natural materials, but they maybe formed of unpreserved natural materials. The artificial leaves 127are fixedly, permanently attached to the limbs 130 (which may includesmaller limbs or branches). For example, an artificial leaf 127 may befixedly attached (by wiring, welding, or adhesively attachment) tosmaller limb that has a metal end, with the limb welded to a metalportion of the housing internal support structure 175. The leaves 127may replicate natural leaves (including various types and colors ofnatural leaves) or may be fanciful. A fanciful leaf is not a replica ofa natural leaf, but it is reminiscent of a natural leaf due to its thinstructure, size, and/or the placement on branches. For example, afanciful leaf may be formed of gold or silver metal sheets in a diamondor triangle shape, with the multiple leaves attached in the locations ofnatural leaves.

Other alternative combinations of materials to be used with thefabricated trunk include artificial branches and/or artificial leaves,preserved natural branches and artificial leaves, or unpreserved naturalmaterials.

The materials and production processes of the components of the treekiosk 10 may vary based on considerations of size, environment of use,aesthetic desires, and functional requirements. However, in an exemplaryproduction process, the housing internal support structure 175 may beformed of metal (such as steel) piping of appropriate sizes with wiremesh exterior of the inner metal piping.

Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be madeto the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intendedthat all matters in the foregoing description and shown in theaccompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined bythe appended claims and their legal equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer kiosk, comprising: a tree-shapedhousing (101) comprising a trunk (140), at least one limb (130) attachedto said trunk (140), and at least one limb stub (160) attached to, andextending outwardly from, said trunk (140); a computer system (105)comprising a processor (170) wherein at least a portion of said computersystem (105) is mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101); and afirst display screen (151), at least a portion of which is mountedwithin a first limb stub (160) of said at least one limb stub (160);wherein said first display screen (151) is in communication with saidcomputer processor (170); and wherein said first limb stub (160)comprises a display screen/tablet hole frame (152) through which atleast a portion of said first display screen (151) is viewable; andwherein said first limb (130) comprises a display screen/tablet support(155) that supports said first display screen (151) in a human-viewableposition within said first limb (130).
 2. The computer kiosk of claim 1,further comprising: a second display screen (151), at least a portion ofwhich mounted within a second limb stub (160) of said at least one limbstub (160), wherein said second display screen (151) is in communicationwith said computer processor (170), and wherein said second limb stub(160) comprises a display screen/tablet hole frame (152) through whichat least a portion of said second display screen (151) is viewable. 3.The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101)comprises an exterior decorative skin (179); wherein said exteriordecorative skin (179) is configured with a camouflaged orifice (124);said computer kiosk further comprising a camera system (180) incommunication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within saidtree-shaped housing (101); wherein said camera system (180) comprises alens mounted at least partially behind said camouflaged orifice (124).4. The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101)comprises an exterior decorative skin (179); wherein said exteriordecorative skin (179) is configured with multiple camouflaged orifices(131); said computer kiosk further comprising audio speakers (112) incommunication with said computer processor (170) and mounted behind saidmultiple camouflaged orifices (131).
 5. The computer kiosk of claim 1,wherein said tree-shaped housing (101) further comprises an openableaccess door (125, 165, 191) that provides access to the interior of saidtree-shaped housing (101).
 6. The computer kiosk of claim 1, whereinsaid first display screen (151) and said computer processor (170) areintegrated into a tablet computer (150).
 7. The computer kiosk of claim1, wherein said display screen/tablet support (155) comprises a hingedtablet support (155).
 8. The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein saiddisplay screen/tablet support (155) comprises a sliding tablet support(154).
 9. The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein said tree-shapedhousing (101) further comprises: an internal support structure (175)forming an internal framework; and an external decorative skin (179)exterior of said internal support structure (175).
 10. The computerkiosk of claim 9, wherein said external decorative skin (179) is formedof a urethane material that imitates the appearance of natural bark. 11.The computer kiosk of claim 9, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101)further comprises at least one camouflaged orifice (124, 131) extendingthrough said external decorative skin (179), wherein said camouflagedorifice imitates an attribute of natural bark in appearance.
 12. Thecomputer kiosk of claim 11, further comprising a camera system (180)having a camera lens, said camera system in communication with saidcomputer processor (170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing(101), wherein said camouflaged orifice (131) comprises an artificialknothole (124) defined by edges (122) and said camera lens is disposedbehind said artificial knothole (124).
 13. The computer kiosk of claim1, wherein said tree-shaped housing (101) further comprises: an internalsupport structure (175) forming an internal framework; an externaldecorative tree skin (179) exterior of said internal support structure(175); and an openable access door (125, 165, 191) that provides accessto the interior of said tree-shaped housing (101); wherein said openableaccess door comprises a door internal support structure and an externaldecorative door skin (161); wherein said door skin (161) correlates withsaid tree skin (179).
 14. The computer kiosk of claim 1, wherein saidtree-shaped housing (101) further comprises: an internal supportstructure (175) forming an internal framework; multiple artificialleaves (127); an external decorative skin (179) exterior of saidinternal support structure (175); and multiple limbs (130) each of whichis fixedly attached to said internal support structure (175); whereineach of said multiple artificial leaves (127) is fixedly attached to oneof said multiple limbs (130).
 15. The computer kiosk of claim 14,wherein said multiple artificial leaves (127) have an appearance ofnatural leaves.
 16. The computer kiosk of claim 14, wherein saidmultiple artificial leaves (127) comprise fanciful leaves.
 17. Acomputer kiosk, comprising: a tree-shaped housing (101) comprising atrunk (140), at least one limb (130) attached to said trunk (140), atleast one limb stub (160) attached to said trunk (140), an internalsupport structure (175) having an exterior and forming an internalframework, an external decorative skin (179) attached to said exteriorof said internal support structure (175), and at least one camouflagedorifice (124, 131) that extends through said external decorative skin(179); a computer system (105) including a processor (170), wherein atleast a portion of said computer system (105) is mounted within saidtree-shaped housing (101); a first display screen (151), at least aportion of which is mounted within a first limb stub (160) of said atleast one limb stub (160), wherein said first display screen (151) is incommunication with said computer processor (170), and wherein said firstlimb stub (160) comprises a display screen/tablet hole frame (152)through which at least a portion of said first display screen (154) isviewable; a display screen support (154) disposed within said a firstlimb stub (160) and positioned to support said first display screen(151) in a location viewable through said display screen/tablet holeframe (152); at least one audio speaker (112) in communication with saidcomputer processor (170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing(101); a camera system (180) having a camera lens, said camera system incommunication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within saidtree-shaped housing (101); and power wiring (198) configured to carryelectrical power and at least partially disposed within said interior ofsaid internal support structure (175).
 18. The computer kiosk of claim17, further comprising an openable access door (125, 165, 191) thatprovides access to said audio speaker (112); wherein said audio speaker(12) is mounted behind a first one of said at least one camouflagedorifice (124, 131); and wherein a second one of at least one camouflagedorifice (124, 131) comprises an artificial knothole (124) defined byedges (122); and wherein said camera lens is disposed behind and inalignment with said artificial knothole (124).
 19. A computer kiosk,comprising: a tree-shaped housing (101) comprising a trunk (140), atleast one limb (130) attached to said trunk (140), at least one limbstub (160) attached to said trunk (140), an internal support structure(175) having an exterior and forming an internal framework, an externaldecorative skin (179) attached to said exterior of said internal supportstructure (175), and at least one camouflaged orifice (124, 131) thatextends through said external decorative skin (179); a computer system(105) including a processor (170), wherein at least a portion of saidcomputer system (105) is mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101);a first display screen (151), at least a portion of which is mountedwithin a first limb stub (160) of said at least one limb stub (160),wherein said first display screen (151) is in communication with saidcomputer processor (170), and wherein said first limb stub (160)comprises a display screen/tablet hole frame (152) through which atleast a portion of said first display screen (151) is viewable; at leastone audio speaker (112) in communication with said computer processor(170) and mounted within said tree-shaped housing (101), wherein saidtree-shaped housing (101) further comprises an openable access door(125, 165, 191) that provides access to said audio speaker (112) mountedwithin the interior of said tree-shaped housing (101); and wherein saidaudio speaker (112) is mounted behind a first one of said at least onecamouflaged orifice (124, 131); least one audio speaker (112) incommunication with said computer processor (170) and mounted within saidtree-shaped housing (101); a camera system (180) having a camera lens;said camera system in communication with said computer processor (170);wherein a second one of said at least one camouflaged orifice (124, 131)comprises an artificial knothole (124) defined by edges (122); andwherein said camera lens is disposed behind and in alignment with saidartificial knothole (124); and power wiring (198) configured to carryelectrical power and at least partially disposed within said interior ofsaid internal support structure (175).
 20. The computer kiosk of claim19, wherein said first display screen (151) and said computer processor(170) are integrated into a tablet computer (150).